Mechanical Behavior of a SiC-Fiber/Si3N4 Composite

The room and elevated temperature mechanical properties of a silicon carbide fibersilicon nitride matrix composite were examined. The findings showed that the addition of fiber layers to a ceramic matrix eliminates the catastrophic brittle failure at room temperature. As the test temperature increases, the tendency for failure to proceed in a brittle manner increases. This is most likely due to an increase in the fibermatrix bond strength which does not allow for fiber pullout and crack bridging to occur.